Carmel is the Indianapolis suburb that decided to become a destination: artsy, ambitious, and full of life.
Roundabouts, bike trails, and showpiece theaters go hand-in-hand with a food scene that’s inventive, upscale, and surprisingly cozy.
1. Matt the Miller’s Tavern
Where Carmel’s office crowd and families meet for after-work drinks, lively dinners, and late-night small plates.
The menu stretches: wood-fired flatbreads, Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese, steak frites, and chef’s specials from Pacific salmon to bourbon maple pork chops.
The bar is the city’s best: signature cocktails, an encyclopedic beer list, and a happy hour where the laughter is even louder than the IPAs.
2. Bazbeaux Pizza
A slice of Indy’s best since the ‘80s, Bazbeaux’s Carmel outpost means brick-oven pies, creative combos (try the Quattro—mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, onions—or the Tchoupi with Cajun shrimp and andouille), and a bustling dining room brimming with families, craft beer lovers, and teens reliving post-game victories.
Outdoor seating and lunch specials make it always busy.
3. Eggshell Bistro
This European-inspired breakfast (and lunch) nook in Carmel’s Arts and Design District is a true hidden gem—savory galettes, lemon ricotta pancakes, croque monsieur, espresso drinks, and a rotating menu of pastries.
Sunlight fills the space, walls hang with local art, and every dish is plated as beautifully as at a high-end dinner spot.
4. Divvy
A modern, small-plates joint built for sharing: Korean BBQ beef, duck tacos, short rib sliders, crab cakes, and unexpected gems like brie-stuffed pretzels.
The menu changes with the seasons and bar program: prosecco cocktails, regional wines, and a bourbon wall with surprising depth.
Sunday brunch here is a ritual, and the communal tables spark conversations with new friends.
5. Donatello’s Italian Restaurant
Old world Italian in a setting that’s all charm—red booths, soft lights, and the friendly bustle of regulars celebrating “just because.”
Standouts: chicken marsala, house lasagna, hearty minestrone, and tiramisu for dessert. Special touches—like live jazz on Wednesdays and a legendary wine list—keep Carmel returning year after year.
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